Jeep and Ram Delay Their Range-Extended EVs Again — Is Stellantis Falling Behind?
Stellantis has spent years talking about electrification across Jeep and Ram, but two of the company's most interesting upcoming vehicles have reportedly hit another speed bump.
The Jeep Grand Wagoneer extended-range EV and Ram 1500 REV extended-range pickup have both been pushed back again, adding yet another chapter to Stellantis' complicated rollout of electrified trucks and SUVs.
And for Ford and Bronco fans, this is worth watching.
Extended-range electric vehicles could become particularly important for larger SUVs and pickups because they attempt to solve one of the biggest problems with going fully electric: what happens when you need to tow, travel long distances or simply don't want your trip dictated by charging stations?
First, What Is an Extended-Range EV?
An extended-range electric vehicle, commonly called an EREV or REEV, works differently from a conventional hybrid.The wheels are primarily driven electrically. A gasoline engine is carried onboard primarily to generate electricity once the battery's available charge drops.
In other words, you can potentially handle everyday driving using electricity while still having a gasoline-powered generator available when it's time for a long road trip.
For owners of trucks and large SUVs, that's an appealing idea.
You get much of the instant torque and electric driving experience of an EV without having to depend entirely on charging infrastructure.
Ram's Electric-Truck Plans Have Changed Dramatically
Ram's journey toward an electrified 1500 has been anything but straightforward.The company originally planned both a fully battery-electric Ram 1500 REV and a range-extended truck called the Ramcharger.
At one point, Stellantis was so encouraged by customer interest in the range-extended version that it announced the Ramcharger would launch ahead of the fully electric REV.
Things changed again.
The fully electric pickup was eventually canceled, and the range-extended truck inherited the Ram 1500 REV name.
Now that truck is reportedly delayed again.
According to reports citing Automotive News, the range-extended Ram 1500 REV is now expected to arrive around April 2027.
That's a significant change for a vehicle whose arrival has already moved several times.
Jeep's Grand Wagoneer EREV Is Delayed Too
Jeep isn't escaping the delays.Production of the extended-range Grand Wagoneer was previously expected to begin much sooner, but reports now indicate production has been pushed back roughly six months, with the vehicle expected to begin rolling off the assembly line around November.
The Grand Wagoneer's powertrain is particularly interesting.
The system combines a 92-kWh battery pack with a 3.6-liter V6 gasoline engine operating as a generator.
Jeep has previously indicated that the setup could deliver around 500 miles of combined driving range.
And this isn't supposed to be some slow, efficiency-focused SUV either.
The range-extended Grand Wagoneer has been announced with an estimated 647 horsepower and 620 lb-ft of torque, with Jeep targeting a 0-60 mph time of approximately five seconds.
That's serious performance for a massive three-row SUV.
Why Another Delay?
Reports suggest suppliers say Stellantis is taking additional time to work through issues associated with the new range-extended powertrains before production ramps up.If that's the reason, delaying the vehicles may ultimately be the smarter decision.
A complicated new powertrain combines a large high-voltage battery, electric motors, power electronics, charging hardware and an internal-combustion engine functioning as a generator.
Launching that technology before it's ready could create a much bigger headache than delaying it.
But there's another problem.
The competition isn't standing still.
Ford Is Moving Toward Extended-Range Trucks Too
This is where things get especially interesting from a Bronco perspective.Extended-range technology is quickly becoming one of the industry's answers to the limitations of large battery-electric trucks and SUVs.
Ford has announced plans for a next-generation F-150 Lightning with an extended-range electric powertrain, targeting more than 700 miles of total driving range.
Hyundai is also preparing extended-range vehicles, and Scout and other manufacturers are pursuing similar ideas.
The concept could be especially attractive in vehicles expected to tow trailers, venture off-road or travel through areas where fast chargers aren't readily available.
Which naturally raises a question for us.
Would This Technology Make Sense in a Ford Bronco?
Imagine a Bronco that handles your normal commute primarily on electricity.You plug it in at home, drive around town without regularly using gasoline and enjoy the instant torque of electric motors.
Then you load it up for a Bronco event hundreds of miles away.
Instead of worrying about finding chargers along the route—or trying to charge while traveling with gear or potentially towing something—the gasoline generator extends your range.
For an off-road vehicle, the concept becomes even more intriguing.
Charging stations aren't exactly plentiful when you're heading toward remote trails.
An onboard range extender could potentially provide the electric drivetrain experience without making owners completely dependent on charging infrastructure.
That's not confirmation that Ford is building an extended-range Bronco. It isn't.
But if extended-range technology proves successful in full-size trucks and SUVs, it's difficult not to wonder where else Ford could eventually use it.
Stellantis Needs to Get This Right
Delays aren't necessarily bad if the extra development time results in a better vehicle.The problem for Stellantis is how many times its electrification plans have shifted.
Ram's electric pickup strategy alone has moved from a fully electric REV, to prioritizing the Ramcharger range extender, to canceling the battery-electric truck and transferring the REV name to the range-extended model.
Now that vehicle is reportedly pushed into 2027.
Meanwhile, other manufacturers are preparing their own extended-range trucks and SUVs.
Stellantis may have been early in recognizing the potential of this technology, but being early doesn't mean much if competitors reach customers first.
For Bronco owners, however, the bigger question is much more interesting:
Would you buy an extended-range Ford Bronco if Ford built one?
Imagine 100+ miles of everyday electric driving, serious electric torque and a gasoline engine sitting there as a generator whenever you need to travel hundreds of miles or head deep into the trails.
Would that be the perfect electrified Bronco—or would you rather Ford stick with a traditional gasoline engine?
Let us know what you think on BroncoBusting.com.
